Former Local Resident Facing Death Penalty

A former local resident is facing the death penalty next week, after being convicted of the brutal 1997 murder and robbery of a Dallas County woman. Kimberly Lagayle McCarthy, 51, is set to die Tuesday.

McCarthy was born in Greenville in 1961, but was living in Dallas County at the time of the murder. McCarthy was twice convicted of the July 1997 murder of Dorothy Booth, 70.

McCarthy’s original 1998 conviction on a charge of capital murder was overturned on appeal. McCarthy was convicted of capital murder again in October 2002.

McCarthy was convicted of entering Booth’s Lancaster residence on July 21, 1997 with the intent to rob the victim. A struggle took place and Booth was stabbed numerous times, resulting in her death. McCarthy then used Booth’s credit cards, as well as Booth’s vehicle for transportation.

McCarthy is believed to be among the first Hunt County natives to face the death penalty.

Adam Kelly Ward was convicted in 2007 of capital murder and is currently facing the death penalty in connection with the 2005 death of Commerce Code Enforcement Officer Michael “Pee Wee” Walker. Ward does not currently have an execution date scheduled.

There are six murder cases pending in Hunt County, including five capital murder charges. At least three of the indicted capital murder cases could carry the death penalty upon the conviction of the defendants charged.